599: 


?  G 


\TheJirm  Belief  of  a  future  Reward  a  powerful 
Motive  to  Obedience  and  a  good  Life. 


SERMON 


PREACHED 


A  T 


CHRIST   CHURCH 

In    BOSTON, 

AUGUST    20.  1765. 
At   the  FUNERAL   of  the 

Rev.  TIMOTHY  CUTLER, D.D. 

LATE    RECTOR    OF    SAID    CHURCH. 

By  HENRY  CANER,  A.  M. 

MINISTER  OF  KING'S  CHAPEL. 

Fublifh'd    at   the   Requeft   of  the  Wardens  and  Veftry   of 
Chrift    Church. 


BOSTON: 

PRINTED  BY  THOMAS  AND  JOHN  FLEET  IN  CORNHJLL, 

MDCCLKV . 


- 


[     3    1 


THE  FUTURE  REWARD 


SUITABLE  MOTIVE  OF  RELIGION. 


HEBREWS   XL    26. 

•  For  he  had  refpeft  unto  the  recompense 
of  the  reward. 

TO  difengage  yourfelves  fometimes  from  the 
little  interefts  and  amufements  of  life,  to 
call  off  the  mind  from  fenfual  purfuits  to 
ferioufnefs  and  recolle&ion,  is  both  highly  ufe~ 
ful  in  itfelf,  and  is  alfo  matter  of  pofitive  duty, 
recommended  in  various  precepts  of  holy  writ. 

By  a  long   and  clofe  attention  to  the  plea- 
fures,  the  bufinefs,  but  efpecially  the  vanities  of 
life,  men  grow  infenfible  to  things  of  more 
fokrou  confequence;  the  mind  gradually  ac 
quires 


M180580 


lilfc   \  [     4     1 

quires  a  kind  of  habitual  flupidity  as  to  fpiritual 
pleafures,  and  in  confequence  of  this  a  fatal  dif- 
relifh  of  them  too ;  for  the  faculties  of  the 
mind  as  well  as  of  the  body,  are  improved  and 
brightned  by  proper  exercife,  and  acquire  their 
various  taftes  of  pleafure  and  averfion  from  the 
objefts  upon  which  they  are  chiefly  employed, 

As  this  is  a  flate  which  oftentimes  infenfibly 
fteals  upon  a  Chriftian,  from  that  neceflary  in- 
tercourfe  with  fcnfual  objefts  which  the  condi 
tion  of  his  nature  requires ;  it  becomes  a  matter 
of  great  importance,  frequently  to  examine  the 
temper  and  difpofition  of  the  foul;  its  love  and 
averfion,  its  fatisfa&ion   and  diftafte,  that  we 
may  be  enabled  to  judge,  whether  its  chief 
pleafure  be  rational,  and  becoming  the  dignity 
of  its  high  original ;  but  efpecially  to  look  for 
ward  to  that  folemn  period,  which  muft  fhortly 
clofe   the  fcene  of  all  prefent  enjoyments,  and 
lay   open  an   unclouded   prolpetft   of  eternity. 
To  render  this  profped  defirable  now,  and  a- 
greeable  when  it  arrives,  the  example  recorded 
in  the  text  may  be  highly  ufeful,  fince  neither 
the  troubles  nor  temptations  of  this  life,   can 
have  much  influence  upon  him,  who  by  a  lively 
faith  and  fteadfaft  hope  has  refycft  to   fhe  re- 
commence  of  the  reward* 

The 


[    5     ] 

.  The  author  of  this  epiftle,  at  the  6th  verfe 
of  this  chapter  had  laid  down  this  general  pro- 
pofition,  that  God  is  a  re-warder  of  them  that 
diligently  feck  him  ;  and  that  the  belief  of  this 
proportion  is  neceffary  to  invite  our  addrefles 
and  application  to  him  ;  to  encourage  us  in  the 
way  of  godlinefs,  to  confirm  our  diligence  and 
perfeverance,  and  more  efpecially  to  animate 
and  fupport  us  under  the  affli&ions  and  perfe- 
cutions  which  at  any  time  befall  us.  In  proof 
of  what  he  had  aflerted,  he  proceeds  to  exem 
plify  the  truth  of  it,  by  adducing  fundry  in- 
ftances  of  holy  men,  who,  in  virtue  of  this  faith, 
(i.  e.  the  firm  belief  that  God  would  finally 
reward  them  for  their  fufferings)  had  chear- 
fully  undergone  the  fevereft  inftances  of  per- 
fecution,  and  had  even  laid  down  their  lives  in 
the  joyful  expectation  of  a  glorious  reward, 
which  God  had  referved  for  them  in  heaven. 
The  particular  infiance  in  the  text,  by  a  pe 
culiar  difpofition  of  divine  providence,  did  not 
indeed  proceed  to  this  laft  extremity,  God 
having  preferved  this  man  to  become  the  in- 
ftrument  of  a  moft  wonderful  and  gracious 
ceconomy,  which,  agreeable  to  the  purpofes  of 
his  wifdom,  was  then  ripe  for  being  difclofed 
to  the  world.  But  in  the  firmnefs  of  his  vir 
tue, 


C   « 

tue,  the  ftrength  and  refolution  of  his  faith, 
and  his  confidence  of  an  invifible  reward,  he 
expofed  himfelfto  very  great  trials,  and  even  to 
the  apparent  danger  of  laying  down  his  life  a 
facrifice  to  his  faith* 

He  had  a  great  intereft  in  the  Egyptian 
court,  and  flood  fair  for  being  advanced  to  the 
higheft  honours  and  interefts  of  it ;  and  yet  he 
voluntarily  reje&ed  and  defpifed  thefe  advan 
tages,  in  profpeft  of  a  future  recompence  ; 
chufing,  as  the  apoftle  fays,  rather  to  fujfer 
affiiSion  -with  the  people  of  God,  than  to  enjoy 
the  pleafures  of  fen  for  a  feafon. 

We  fee  then  what  force  there  is  in  this  mo 
tive  of  a  future  reward,  when  firmly  believed. 
— We  fee  what  influence  it  had  in  fa6t  upon 
thofe  many  worthies  whom  the  apoftle  hath  re 
corded. — Why  is  that  influence  abated  in  latter 
ages  ?  Is  the  reward  lefs  certain  to  us  than  it 
was  to  them  ?  Or  is  the  profpeft  of  it  obfcur  d 
under  the  prefent  clifpenfation  of  the  gofpel  ? 
Nay  verily,  it  is  glorioufly  opened  and  enlarged* 
We  have  not  only  their  teftimony,  but  a  cloud 
of  witnefles  befides,  inviting  us  to  run  the  race 
that  is  jtt  before  us  with  faith  and  patience, 

looking 


[    7    1 

. 

looking  efpecially  to  Jefits  the  author  andfini/her 
of  that  faith,  who  for  the  joy  that  was  fet  before 
him,  endured  the  crofs,  dejpijlng  the  Jbame,  and 
is  now  poffefled  of  the  reward,  being  fet  down 
at  the  right  hand  of  the  throne  of  God. 

Blefled  be  God  !  we  are  not  called  to  fo 
fevere  ah  exercife  of  our  faith,  we  have  neither 
refitted,  nor  have  we  been  required  to  refift 
unto  blood,  in  our  warfare  with  fin.  So  much 
eafier  is  our  task,  than  that  which  fell  to  the 
lot  of  God  s  faints  under  the  old  diipenfation, 
or  than  that  which  became  the  portion  of  thofe 
champions  who  were  firft  charged  with  propa 
gating  the  new.  They  are  the  pleafures,  not  the 
per&cutions,  the  honours,  not  the  terrors  of  the 
world,  with  which  we  are  required  to  contend  ; 
die  riches  and  interefts,  the  ambition  and  vani 
ty,  the  lufis  and  corruptions  that  folicit  our 
regards ;  thefe  caft  a  veil  over  the  profpeft  of 
future  glories,  and  dim  the  brightnefs  of  the 
unfading  crown  of  immortality.  But  if  our 
religion  has  provided  us  with  motives  that  are 
diffident  to  fupport  men  under  perfecutions 
and  fufferings,  furely  the  fame  motives  fhould  be 
allowed  fufficient  to  conquer  the  paflions  and 
pleafures,  the  lufts  and  vanities  of  the  world, 
with  all  other  finful  temptations  that  befet  us. 

Some 


[     8     ] 

Some  indeed  have  refined  upon  the  apoftle's 
doftrine,  by  declaring,  that  however  the  profpeft 
of  a  reward  might  be  admitted  as  an  encourage 
ment  to  men   under  the  former  fervile  difpen- 
fation,  yet  it  is  unworthy  to  enter  into  the  re 
gards  of  a  chriftian,  who  ought  to  be  influenced 
by  more  generous  motives,  nor  admit  any  thing 
as  an  encouragement  to  duty,  but  what  folely 
terminates  upon  the  love  of  God  and  Chrift; 
every  thing  but  this,    they  efteem  felfifh  and 
mercenary,  unworthy  the  fpirit  of  the  gofpel. 
This    I  apprehend   to  be    refining  upon   the 
chriftian  religion,  fince  not  only  the  old  tefta- 
ment  worthies  looked  forward  to  the  glories 
which  fhould  after  be  revealed,  but  the  chriftian 
faints  and  martyrs  were  encouraged  to  contend 
for  the  prize   of  their  high  calling,    to  prefs 
forward  towards  it,  and  to  have  rejpeft  to  the 
recompence   of  reward,  to  the  crown  of  life, 
which  God  hath  referved  for  fuch  as  love  him. 
Nay,  and  to  put  the  matter  beyond  all  difpute, 
our  blefled  Saviour    hirnfelf    is   faid  to    have 
endured  the  crofs,for  the  joy  that  was  fct  before 
him.      We  may  therefore  very  well  efteem  this 
motive  as  a  lawful  fpur  and  incentive  to  duty, 
which  is  confefledly  allowed  to  have  animated 
the  faints  under  the  old  teftament,  and  martyrs 
under  the  new,  and  even  to  have  attracted  the 
regards  of  the  captain  of  our  falvation  himfelf. 


[    9    1 

Befides,.it  ought  to  be  confidered,  that  the 
very  reward  itfelf,  which  is  held  forth  to  en 
courage  us,  can  in  its  own  nature  have  no 
weight  or  influence,  till  the  love  of  God  has 
taken  place  in  the  heart.  They  diftinguifh 
therefore  without  a  difference,  who  make  the 
love  of  God,  and  the  defire  of  a  future  reward 
inconfiftent  with  each  other.  For  wherein 
does  the  future  reward  coniift,  but  in  the 
enjoyment  of  God,  and  thofe  pleafures  which 
perpetually  flow  from  the  blefied  vifion  of  him, 
and  the  capacity  of  tianfcribing  continually 
his  perfections  ?  But  as  great  a  happinefs  as 
this  is,  it  cannot,  when  truly  under  flood,  be 
fought  after,  or  even  defired,  by  tliofe  who  are 
d-eftitute  of  the  love  of  God.  A  man  muft 
have  a  real  affe6tion  for  God,  muft  be  renewed 
after  the  divine  image,  in  righteoufnefs  and  true 
holinefs,  before  he  is  really  capable  of  having  a 
due  rejp&&  to  the  recommence  of -reward,  before 
he  can  feel  the  want,  or  perceive  the  excellency 
of  it,  or  be  at  all  influenced  by  it.  They  quite 
miftake  the  thing,  and  fhew  themfelves  to  be 
entirely  ignorant  of  the  nature  of  the  future 
ftate,  who  imagine  it  to  confift  in  any  thing, 
but  a  larger  participation  of  God's  moral  per 
fections,  and  a  conftant  eternally  uninterrupted 

B  improvement 


[       10      ] 

improvement  in  them.  This  is  the  heavenly 
lite,  to  be  conftantly  beholding,  admiring, 
praifing,  imitating  God,  and  improving  in  new 
and  further  degrees  of  moral  and  fpiritual 
perte&ion :  And  in  this  alfo  confifts  the  future 
reward.  To  look  for  any  other,  or  to  enter- 
tertain  any  other  lower  notion  or  conception 
of  it  than  this,  is  rather  to  expeft  a  mahome- 
tan  paradife  than  a  chriflian  heaven. 

And  I  wifh  this  were  more  thoroughly  con- 
lidered  and  weighed  than  I  fear  it  commonly 
is.  I  am  perfuaded  it  would  have  a  good  effect 
upon  mens  lives,  and  would  perhaps  teach 
foine  people  to  fear  and  tremble  at  their  con 
dition,  who  think  themfelves  in  a  fair  way  to 
heaven  :  For  too  many  look  upon  the  future 
ftace  rather  as  a  place  than  a  condition.  It  is 
like  fome  fine  and  healthful  climate  (they  think) 
where,  as  there  will  be  no  place  for  pain  or 
evil,  or  mifery,  for  ficknefs  or  forrow,  for  trou 
ble  or  difappointment ;  fo  it  will  abound  with 
the  moft  agreeable  pleafures,  the  moft  ravifhing 
delights  and  entertainments,  that  their  hearts 
can  wifh  for.  But  then  unfortunately  they  too 
often  form  their  notions  of  the  pleafures  and 
entertainments  they  (hall  receive,  from  thofe 

enjoyments 


[     M     1 

enjoyments  with  which  they  have. been  chiefly 
delighted  here,  only  they  imagine  that  they  will 
be  fome  how  or  other  greatly  improved  and  re- 
find  beyond  what  they  have  ever  yet  experienced. 
Now  where  fuch  fenfual  notions  as  thefe  pre 
vail,  'tis  no  wonder  that  men  fhould  be  carelefs 
and  negligent  of  their  lives,  lince  if  they  have 
but  time  to  ask  mercy  and  forgivenefs  of  God 
and  to  allure  him  that  they  have  no  hatred  or 
aveiiion  to  him,  but  .[are  fincerely  deiirous  of 
going  to  heaven,  they  conclude  they  have  done 
enough  to  engage  the  divine  companion,  and 
that  God  will  therefore  undoubtedly  hearken 
10  their  requefts. — But  now  fhould  thefe  men 
have  their  eyes  open  d,  and  be  taught  to  fee 
that  heaven  and  a  future  reward  are  quite  dif 
ferent  things  from  what  they  have  all  along 
apprehended  them  to  be,  that  they  confift  in  a 
divine  temper  and  difpofition  of  foul,  which  is 
form'd  after  the  image  of  God,  and  participates 
of  his  nature  and  perfections,  and  that  in  pro 
portion  to  the  degrees  of  this  fpiritual  improve 
ment,  are  the  degrees  of  their  happinefs  and 
enjoyment ;  that  thefe  joys  and  that  happinefs 
are  impoflible  to  be  entertained  or  embraced, 
but  by  thofe  who  have  previoufly  acquired  fuch 
a  conformity  to  the  image  of  God. — I  fay  if 

B  2  all 


[  la  } 

all  this  were  firmly  entertained,  and  men  em 
braced  thefe,  which  are  the  true  notions  of  future 
happinefs ;  they  would  be  in  much  lefs  danger 
of  misjudging  their  own  condition,  and  would 
be  more  felicitous  of  acquiring  that  holinefs 
here,  without  which  they  will  never  be  admitted 
to  fee  God  hereafter. 

It  is  a  folly  for  any  man  to  flatter  or  deceive 
himfelf  in  a  matter  of  fuch  infinite  concernment 
as  that  of  eternal  happinefs,  but  'tis  terrible  to 
think  of  an  everlafting  exiftence  in  mifery= 
The  affair  in  regard  to  each  muft  be  fettled 
fn  this  life,  after  which  it  becomes  irreverfible. 
The  future  judgment  makes  no  real  alteration, 
it  is  only  declaratory  of  what  we  ourfelves 
eftabiifh,  by  our  own  good  or  ill  conduft  in 
life.  The  capacity  will  indeed  be  enlarged 
after  that  event,  to  feel  a  full  flow  of  happi 
nefs,  or  the  full  weight  of  God's  wrath  refpec- 
tively,  according  to  the  fentence  of  each.  But 
they  are  in  a  conditional  ftate  of  election  or 
reprobation  previous  to  that  period,  and  would 
they  but  impartially  weigh  their  own  temper 
and  difpofition,  and  conduft  towards  God,  they 
might  nearly  form  a  judgment  of  their  ftate, 
and  by  thus  judging  themfelves  by  a  proper 
care  and  circumfpe6lion  might  be  led  to  pre 
vent  the  judgment  of  God.  T, 


Thus  have  I  endeavoured  to  illuftrate  ancf 
confirm  the  apoftolic  dodbrine  in  the  text,  by 
proving  that  it  is  lawful  to  have  refpeft  to  the 
recompence  of  reward,  And  if  this  doftrine 
be  true,  what  a  noble  motive  is  it,  to  fupport 
the  chriftian  under  the  greateft  troubles  and 
difficulties  that  can  befall  him  in  this  life  ? 

The  force  of  this  motive  would  appear  in 
deed  to  greater  advantage  by  confidering  the 
nature  of  that  reward  which  we  are  thus  en 
couraged  to  afpire  after. — But  in  truth,  of  this 
I  am  able  to  fay  but  little — for  the  things 
that  God  hath  referved  for  us  in  heaven,  are  too 
big  for  utterance,  or  even  for  conception. 
The  mind  is  overborn  and  finks  under  the 
weight  of  its  own  images,  when  it  labours  to 
comprehend  the  glories  of  tfie  future  ftate. 
Glorious  things  are  indeed  fpoken  of  the  city 
of  God  in  the  holy  fcriptures ;  but  a  perfect 
and  diftinft  image  of  them  is  beyond  mortal 
apprehenfion.  And  therefore  it  is  that  the 
joys  and  glories  of  that  ftate  are  reprefented 
by  crowns  and  fceptres,  and  fuch  other  enfigns- 
of  royalty  and  fplendor,  as  imply  the  greateft 
dignity  and  enjoyment  thac  we  are  acquainted 
with.  Imperfect  however  as  our  conceptions 

are. 


[     '4    1 

are,  they  are  fufficient  to  animate  our  fortitude 
under  triak  and  temptations,  and  to  inlpire  us 
with  diligence  and  induftry  in  the  work  of  the 
Lord,  fmce  we  have  the  higheft  afTurance  that 
our  labour  fliall  not  be  in  vain  in  the  Lord. 

Even  that  folemn  employment  of  ours  (my 
reverend  brethren)  filled  with  fb  many  cares 
and  inquietudes,  and  requiring  fo  much  firm- 
nefs  and  diligence,  fo  much  wifdom  and  pru 
dence  to  render  it  fuccefsful,  if  it  be  difcharged 
with  integrity  and  a  good  confcience,  will  meet 
with  a  reward  infinitely  beyond  all  the  labours 
and  difficulties  of  it ;  for  they  who  are  thus 
wife  we  are  told  fliaU  fltine  as  the  bnghtnefs  of 
the  firmament,  and  they  that  turn  many  to  righ- 
teoufnefs  as  the  flars  for  ever  and  ever. 

Were  it  indeed  poflible  for  me  to  reprcfent 
the  joys  of  that  blefled  kingdom,  and  the  never 
fading  pleafures  that  flow  at  God's  right  hand5 
could  I  defcribe  the  exalted  fatisfadion  that 
arifes  from  the  blefled  vifion  of  God,  from  the 
company  and  converfation  of  faints  and  angels, 
of  cherubim  and  feraphim,  the  noble  army  of 
martyrs,  the  fpirits  of  juft  men  made  perf eft, 
the  general  aflembly  and  church  of  the  firft- 

born. 


<S     JJ 

born,  but  above  all  from  the  fmiles  of  Jefus 
the  redeemer,  the  mediator  of  the  new  cove 
nant  ;  could  I  paint  thefe,  and  the  thoufand 
other  excellencies  and  entertainments  with 
which  that  ftate  abounds  in  their  proper  co 
lours,  and  were  your  faculties  alfo  enlarged  and 
flrengthned  to  apprehend  them  ;  then  fhould 
I  not  doubt  of  perfuading  every  one  here  pre~ 
fent  to  defpife  the  difficulties,  the  dangers  and 
temptations  that  befet  them  in  this  mortal 
ftate,  tho'  they  were  indeed  much  greater  and 
more  numerous  than  they  truly  are, 

In  view  of  this  recompence,  and  fupported 
by  the  profpeft  of  this  glorious  reward,  our 
departed  friend  and  brother  was  not  only  en 
couraged  to  difcharge  the  important  dudes  of 
that  ftation  to  which  the  providence  of  God 
had  call'd  him,  with  fidelity  and  diligence ;  but 
was  alfo  enabled  to  undergo  a  long  and  grievous 
weight  of  affliction,  which  the  fame  wife  and 
righteous  providence  thought  fit  to  lay  upon 
him,  with  exemplary  patience,  fortitude  and 
refignation.  Earneftly  defirous  indeed  he  was 
to  bring  glory  to  God,  and  to  promote  the 
happinefs  and  falvation  of  men,  particularly 
of  the  flock  committed  to  his  charge  by  # 

further 


I  It  ] 

farther  exercife  of  his  miniftry,  yet  referred 
.his  dcfires  to  the  will  and  wifdom  of  his  blef- 
fed  matter,  who  beft  knows  how  to  difpofe  of 
his  fei  vants,  and  what  inftruments  to  employ 
for  effcfting  the  purpofes  of  his  grace.  Few 
men  indeed  have  had  a  larger  opportunity  of 
exercifing  the  minifterial  fun&ion,  or  fewer  in 
terruptions  in  it ;  and  very  few  I  am  perfuaded 
have  made  a  more  faithful  and  diligent  ufe  of 
the  opportunities  afforded  them.  For  above 
thirty,  years  (I  fuppofe)  he  was  fcarce  de 
tained  a  day,  by  ficknefs  or  fuch  like  accident, 
from  officiating  in  the  public  duties  of  the 
church;  but  it  pleafed  God  in  his  righteous 
providence,  for  the  laft  nine  years  of  his  life, 
to  lay  him  under  an  incapacity  for  public  fer- 
vice.  Such  a  long  couiie  of  preceeding  health 
was  certainly  a  very  fingular  bleffing  of  God, 
which  this  worthy  perfon  failed  not  to  improve 
to  the  beft  advantage  of  himfelf,  and  of  the 
people  committed  to  his  charge. 

As  he  was  born  and  educated  in  this  neigh 
bourhood,  he  was  fo  generally  well  known  a- 
mong  you,  that  I  can  offer  little  in  the  way  of 
ehara&er  concerning  this  faithful  fervant  of 
p  but  what  nxoft  of  you  are  already  well 

acquainted 


L      '7     I 

acquainted  with;  It  may  however  be  a  fatis- 
faftion  to  fome  who  had  lefs  knowledge  of  him 
to  be  inf©rm'd;  that  under  the  advantage  of  a 
good  natural  capacity,  joined  with  fingular  dili 
gence  and  application,  he  made  an  early  pro 
ficiency  in  ufeful  literature,  and  was  according 
ly  foon  diftinguifhed  as  likely  to  become  emi 
nent  in  his  profefllon.  As  he  turned  his  mind 
chiefly  to  theological  ftudies,  and  the  cultiva 
tion  of  thofe  languages  that  might  afTilt  him 
in  acquiring  a  competent  knowledge  of'ecclc- 
fiaftical  hiftory,  he  had  foon  a  call  to  the  fnini- 
ftry  in  a  neighbouring  government. '  The  ducies 
of  this  itation  he  difcharged  with  indefatigable 
diligence  and  fidelity,  and  acquired  the  univerfal 
love  and  refpeft  of  his  people.  But  he  was  not 
fuffer'd  to  continue  long  here.  His  learning, 
and  piety,  his  wifdom  and  prudence,  joined  with 
an  excellent  fpirit  of  government,  recommend 
ed  him  to  a  ftill  more  public  employment,  and 
he  was  accordingly  chofen  to  prefide  over  a  femi- 
nary  of  learning  which  had  then  newly  been 
eftablifhed.  This  preferment  he  enjoyed  with 
honour  to  himfelt,  and  with  the  approbation 
of  the  public,  till  in  the  courfe  of  reading  and 
critical  enquiry,  he  found  himfelf  under  a  necef- 
lity  of  conforming  to  the  church  of  England. 
This  event  occaflon'd  his  difmiffion  from  that 

C  honourable 


honourable  employment ;  and  it  may  juftly 
as  well  as  charitably  be  fuppofed,  that  nothing 
but  the  obligations  of  confcience  could  have 
induced  him,  under  the  burden  of  a  large  and 
increafing  family,  and  without  any  certain  prof- 
pefts,  to  throw  up  all  prefent  vifible  fupportc 
In  this  critical  junfture  however  he  providen 
tially  received  an  invitation  to  qualify  himfelf 
for  performing  the  minifterial  office  in  this 
church.  He  look'd  upon  this  as  a  difpofition 
of  divine  providence  in  his  favour,  and  there 
fore  readily  accepted  the  invitation,  and  pro 
ceeded  to  England  to  offer  himfelf  for  holy 
orders.  His  reputation  for  learning  and  good 
morals,  with  the  recommendatory  teftimonies  he 
carried  from  hence,  foon  procured  him  what  he 
defired,  and  moreover  engaged  the  notice  of 
many  eminent  perfons  at  both  univerfity's,  from 
each  of  which  he  received  the  compliment  of 
an  honorary  degree  of  Dodor  in  Divinity.  After 
a  fhort  fby  in  England  he  returned  and  entered 
upon  the  duties  of  his  parifh. 

How  faithfully  in  word  in  doftrine  and  ex 
ample  he  has  fince  difcharged  the  paftoral  office, 
you,  his  peculiar  charge,  his  dear  children  in 
the  gofpel,  with  whom  he  travailed  in  birth 
that  Chrift  might  be  formed  in  you,  are  beft 

able 


L    '9   ,]•' 

able  to  teftify. — But  others  alfo  can  witnefs-td'- 
his  wifdom  and  prudence,  to  his  tender  care"' 
and  folicitude  to  preferve  peace  and  unity  in 
the  church,  or  to  reftore  it  where  it  was  want 
ing. — He  was  inflexible  indeed  in  his  principles/ 
thefe  he  accounted  facred.  And  as  he  had  de 
liberately  entertained  a  high  opinion  of  the 
conftitution  of  the  church  of  England,  fo  he 
was  ever  zealous  in  its  defence.  At  the  fame 
time  he  took  particular  care  not  to  vary  from 
its  rules,  but  endeavoured  to  fupport  its  in- 
terefts  and  preferve  its  authority  with  great 
integrity.  His  firmnefs  and  zeal,  his  attach 
ment  and  perfeverance  in  the  true  faith  and 
principles  of  the  chriftian  religion  deferve  the 
greateft  notice,  at  a  time  when  fo  many  fit 
loofe  to  the  fundamental  articles  of  it,  think 
lightly  of  the  great  myfteries  of  our  redemption 
by  Chrift,  and  if  they  flop  (hort  of  barefaced 
infidelity,  plunge  into  the  gulph  or  dead  fea  of 
latitudinarianifm,  under  the  fpecious  name  of 
morality. 

In  ftiort  our  departed  friend  was  a  wife,  a 
learned,  and  pious  man,  a  good  chriftian,  a 
faithful  fteward  of  the  myfteries  of  God,  a  tried 
foldier  and  champion  of  Jefus  Chrift,  who  ia 
profpe&  of  the  recompence  of  the  reward  that 

C  2  was 


was  fet  before  him  defpifed  the  frowns  and  flat 
teries  of  the  world,  maintained  his  great  mafters 
caufe  with  undaunted  courage  and  fteadfaft  re- 
folution,  and  is  now  (we  truft)  enter'd  into  the 
poflelfion  of  the  joy  of  his  Lord. 

It  may  poffibly  be  obje&ed  that  I  have  fallen 
Ihort  of  faying  what  this  great  and  eminently 
worthy  perfon  deferved — I  am  fenfible  I  have 
fo. — Let  it  be  my  apology,  that  for  very  many 
years  I  have  had  the  honour  of  an  intimate 
friendihip  with  him ;  and  I  chofe  rather  to  be 
deficient,  than  by  faying  all  that  he  deferved, 
to  open  the  voice  of  flander,  or  provoke  the 
fting  of  envy.  I  will  venture  to  add,  that  it 
will  be  no  unbecoming  teftimony  of  our  regard 
to  pray  that  the  great  Lord  of  the  harveft  will 
fend  forth  more  fuch  faithful  labourers  into  his 
harveii 

As  to  you  whom  nature  and  family  connec 
tions  had  render'd  more  particularly  dear  to 
him,  who  were  happy- in.  his  l°ve>  guided  by  his 
counfels,  and  comforted  by  his  prefence,  you 
cannot  indeed  but  mourn  the  lofs  of  a  tender 
husband  and  an  affe&ionate  father;  yet  let  both 
remember  from  whofe  wife  and  righteous  pro 
vidence  the  vifitation  is  derived,  and  let  that 

compofe 


compofe  your  minds. — Blefs  God  that  the  en 
joyment  was  continued  to  you  fo  long,  that  he 
was  not  gathered  to  the  grave  but  in  peace  and 
in  a  good  old  age. — Be  perfuaded  to  caft  your 
hope  and  truft  upon  that  rock  of  ages,  who  is 
a  never  failing  refuge  to  fuch  as  confide  in  him. 
Make  him  then  your  friend,  your  husband^ 
your  father,  and  your  comforter.  Submit  your 
wills  to  his  with  a  perfect  refignation,  and  he 
will  lead  you  fafely  by  his  counfel  thro'  this 
wildernefs  of  forrow  and  affliction,,  and  after 
that  beftow  on  you  "  the  recompence  of  the 
reward,"  a  never  fading  crown  of  life  and  glory. 

And  now  as  to  you  the  people  of  his  charge^ 
to  whom  God  had  entrufted  the  care  of  your 
fouls ;  you  cannot  eafily  forget  this  your  fpiricual 
father  ;  tho'  God  had  for  feme  years  paft  fuf- 
pended  him  from  his  paftoral  duty,  and  hath 
now  called  him  to  himfelf,  yet  you  cannot  but: 
remember  with  gratitude,  his  former  work  and 
labour  of  love.  Call  to  mind  his  frequent  ex 
hortations  and  earneft  entreaties,  that  you 
would  hearken  to  the  voice  of  Jefus  Chrift  in 
the  gofpel,  that  you  would  clofe  with  the  terms 
of  falvation1  offer'd  by  him,  and  by  repentance, 
faith  and  obedience  get  an  intereft  in  the  pro- 

miles* 


[        22       ] 

mifes  of  the  new  covenant.  He  has  led  you 
with  affectionate  tendernefs,  as  a  fliepherd  does 
his  flock. — He  has  fed  you  with  the  fincere 
milk  of  the  word,  that  you  might  grow  thereby, 
and  be  nouriihed  up  unto  life  eternal.  Being 
a  ready  fcribe,  inftru&ed  in  the  will  of  God,  he 
brought  forth  out  of  his  treafures  things  new  and 
old,  and  made  you  ^abundant  partakers  of  fpiri- 
tual  things.  He  ceafed  not  for  above  thirty 
years  to  warn  every  man,  and  teach  every  man 
that  he  might  prefent  you  faidtlefs  before  the 
throne  of  glory  ivith  exceeding  joy  both  to  him- 
felf  and  you.-^-He  is  now  gone  to  give  account 
of  his  ftewardflhip  to  the  great  Lord  of  all, 
who  referveth  the  recompence  of  reward  for 
fuch  as  have  been  faithful  in  his  fervice. — Recall 
to  mind  his  admonitions  and  pious  inftrudrtions, 
fo,  altho'  he  be  dead,  he  (hall  yet  fpeak  to  you 
in  thofe  falutary  do&rines  and  godly  exhorta 
tions,  he  formerly  delivered. 

And  while  you  thus  bear  in  remembrance  his 
faichfulnefs  and  diligence  in  your  fervice,  be  not 
unmindful  to  {hew  kindnefs  to  his  houfe.  The 
widow  and  the  fatherlefs  are  always  entitled  to 
the  tendereft  regards,  but  more  efpecially  fo, 
where  particular  connections  and  obligations 
concurr  to  recommend  them  to  your  notice  and 

affe&ions,  rr* 

lo 


To  conclude,  having  the  recompence  of  the 
jreward  in  view,  a  glorious  crown  of  life  and 
immortality,  let  us  all  both  minifters  and  peo 
ple  after  the  worthy  example  of  our  departed 
brother,  determine  to  be  fteadfaft  and  unmove- 
able  in  the  faith  and  obedience  of  the  gofpel, 
in  fpite  of  all  the  difficulties  and  difcourage- 
ments  that  may  befet  us,  relying  on  the  grace 
of  Chrift,  who  in  like  manner  in  profpe-fl  of 
the  joy  that  was  fet  before  him  endured  infi 
nitely  greater  trials  than  fall  to  the  lot  of  any 
of  us.  And  how  inexpreffible  will  that  joy  be 
to  every  one  who  (hall  thus  in  the  faith  and  in 
the  fear  of  God,  perfevere  unto  the  end. — 
How  refrefhing  a  confolation  in  particular  will 
every  confcientious  paftor  of  the  chriftian  church 
find  in  himfelf,  when  at  the  clofe  of  his  la 
bours,  when  the  evening  of  life  begins  to 
lengthen  his  fhadbw  and  the  grave  threatens 
to  caft  a  veil  of  darknefs-  around  him,  he  can 
look  back  on  a  life  early  dedicated,  and  faith 
fully  fpentin  the  fervice  of  God,  and  his  church? 
How  chearful  thoughts,  and  what  comfortable 
expe&ations  will  he  have  on  his  death  bed? 
When  he  (hall  have  good  ground  to  hope,  that 
as  he  has  endeavoured  to  fit  and  prepare  others 
for  that  fokmn  fcene,  and  for  a  happy  change^ 

fo 


C     H 

fo  by  the  merits  and  mediation  of  his  ever 
blefled  redeemer  his  own  fins  fhall  be  blotted 
out,  and  his  labours  accepted  before  the  great 
tribunal.  How  happy  to  be  'able  to  fay  with 
the  great  apoflle, e<  I  have  fought  a  good  fight, 
I  have  kept  the  faith,  I  have  finifh'd  my  courfe, 
henceforth  there  is  laid  up  for  me  a  crown  of 
life."  How  much  happier  ftill  to  hear  that 
bleiled  welcome  of  his  Lord,  "  Well  done 
good  and  faithful  fervant,  thou  haft  been  faith 
ful  over  a  few  things,  I  will  make  thee  ruler 
over  many  things,  enter  thou  into  the  joy  of 
thy  Lord." 

Let  me  fhut  up  this  whole  difcourfe  with 
that  exhortation  of  the  apoftle  dire&ed  alike 
to  all  whether  paftors  or  people. 

"  My  beloved  brethren  be  ye  fteadfaft  un- 
moveable  always  abounding  in  the  work  of  the 
Lord,  knowing  that  your  labour  {hall  not  be  in 
vain  in  the  Lord." 

To  God  the  Father  the  Son  and  the  Holy 
Ghoft  be  all  Glory  and  Honor  Dominion  and 
Power  now  and  forevermore.  AMEN. 


THE  UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY 


